Tracker Pixel for Entry

Prairie Boys at War book launch

Writer's Block | August 7th, 2014

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, a book launch for the historical narrative “Prairie Boys at War: Korea, Volume I: June – October 1950” will take place at Studio 222 in Downtown Fargo from 6 to  9 p.m. The event will include hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

Local author M.M. Helm, also known as Merry Helm, first set out to write about North Dakotans in the Korean War; but in the process, her scope broadened to include the entire upper-prairie region. This first volume of the Prairie Boys series chronicles the first four months of the war from the perspectives of soldiers from South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas, among others.

In addition to being an award-winning writer, Helm is a documentary filmmaker and an historian for the 24th Infantry Division Association. Her past credentials include screenwriting and producing history-based radio stories for Prairie Public Radio.

So far, this book has been met with praise. Tom Pantera of Northwestern Oklahoma State University claims, “Merry Helm has done [these soldiers] the highest honor — she gives them a chance to tell their stories… fascinating stories, told in vivid, propulsive prose.” Retired Lieutenant Colonel Shirley J. Olgeirson of the National Guard adds, “Helm is doing the work of angels to capture this history, and it is a great tribute to the legacy of each man… Helm tells these powerful stories with compelling insight.”

Upcoming volumes of Prairie Boys will cover the Chinese intervention (1950-1951) and the outpost wars (1952-1953).

IF YOU GO:

M.M. Helm’s “Prairie Boys at War” book launch 

Tues, Aug. 12, 6-9 p.m. 

Studio 222, 222 Broadway, Fargo 

FREE, open to the public

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comIt’s been eight years since the Water Protectors were cleared off the banks of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers. It was a bitter ending to a battle to protect the water; and for most of us…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Rodeo is a family tradition for sisters Kate and Tera Flitton. The duo performs under the moniker Stellar Trick Riding Cowgirls. The Utah natives will be performing along with bareback riders,…

Saturday, April 19, 8 p.m. doors open at 7 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 N Broadway, FargoCheck out this cult classic on the big screen as a live band performs along with David Bowie’s vocals, all while basking in the Art Deco glory…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I feel like reading a newspaper is the equivalent of listening to music on vinyl. Not only is it analog, it’s an experience. I might be a little biased, but there's something about the rustling…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA column on How Trumusklicans are trying to change historyIt took William L. Shirer a couple decades to write and then publish “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany,”…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Photos by Rick GionLiving in downtown Fargo has its perks. One of them is taking walks along Broadway and peeking into the restaurants and shops for a glimpse of what’s new. Sometimes this makes a…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Making her feature directorial debut, Rachael Abigail Holder guides “Love, Brooklyn” to a satisfying conclusion, even if some viewers might have hoped for a different outcome for the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Chad Nodland, "Artistic Freedom"On January 19, 2025, the last full day of Joe Biden’s presidency, he commuted Leonard Peltier's two consecutive life sentences to home confinement at his…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Gilbert Kuipersgilbertkuipers@outlook.com I live in North Dakota District 24 and have been challenging the district Republicans about their understanding of climate science for years. There has been no serious response to my…